Story Time: A is for Armadillo
Story Time: A is for Armadillo
Sometimes, both children and adults may hesitate to engage with non-fiction books, finding them too challenging, boring, or uninteresting. However, non-fiction books play a crucial role in helping children connect with and understand the world around them, expand their vocabulary, and encourage critical thinking. The next time your child asks for a storybook, consider pairing it with a non-fiction book to build a strong foundation for learning.
Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
Ages 2-5
Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play
Tip
Rhymes and songs that incorporate sequencing and memory can help children prepare for school. In the following activity, children listen for a specific phrase and respond with a large physical movement. While having fun, they also develop their gross motor skills.
Activity
Pretend to be a three-banded Brazilian armadillo with your child and curl up into a tight ball. Imagine it’s very dark and safe! Then recite the rhyme, “Armadillo in a ball,” and on the final line, pop open and jump high into the air!
Books Presented
Alligator Rode by Jan Brett
Armadillos by Jill Sherman
The Rock From the Sky by Jon Klassen
Armadillo Antics by Bill Martin
Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays
Armadillo, Armadillo
Armadillo, armadillo turn around
Armadillo, armadillo touch the ground
Armadillo, armadillo dance on your toes
Armadillo, armadillo touch your nose
Armadillo, armadillo jump up now
Armadillo, armadillo take a bow
Armadillo, armadillo stomp your feet
Armadillo, armadillo take a seat
Adapted from Jbrary
Looking for an Armadillo
(tune: Do you see the muffin man?)
We’re looking for an armadillo, an armadillo, and armadillo.
We’re looking for an armadillo under number ______!
Armadillo in a Ball
Armadillo in a ball
Sitting so still…
Won’t you come out?
Yes, I will!
Adapted from Jbrary
Armadillo Roly Poly
(tune: Are you sleeping?)
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
Up, up, up
up, up, up
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
down, down, down
down, down, down
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
out, out, out
out, out, out
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
in, in, in
in, in, in
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
fast, fast, fast
fast, fast, fast
Armadillo roly, armadillo poly
slow, slow, slow
slow, slow, slow
Adapted from Jbrary
Crafts and Activities
Armadillo Coloring Page
Armadillo Craft
To make our armadillo craft you will need an armadillo outline printed on cardstock and the rim of a paper plate. Cut out your armadillo and then cut the plate rim into sections. Color the armor bands and glue them to the armadillo. Our three-banded armadillo used half of a paper plate, if you want more bands use more of the paper plate rim.
Additional Books
Nine-banded Armadillos by Megan Borgert-Spaniol
Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to nine-banded armadillos. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade.
Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly: Slumby the Sloth Goes to School by Chiara Carminati
Slumby is well-liked at school, but being too slow to play with his classmates at recess makes him sad until Armadillo gets in trouble and only Slumby can save him.
Playing Possum by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
One by Vladimir Radunsky
When Six, a pink armadillo with nine green siblings, brags that he is “#1” in everything, his family expresses a different opinion.
